Hello lovely ladies at home (and those who want to be).
The video is at the end of this page.
Today I "broadcast" from my sewing room. These sessions are designed to listen while you get a few things done at home.
I wore this butterfly cotton print dress, which I sewed many years ago from this pattern, Simplicity 9198:
Below is a picture from an old book I have. I was looking at it with some of you in mind, who are on your own much of the time. I spoke about it not being necessary to have company in order to create something like this.
These are the books I read snatches from. I am enjoying my latest acquisition "Jane Austen's Table" which was published a few years ago.
I do so appreciate you coming to listen. It motivates me to continue to publish. Originally these were intended for my descendants, but I decided to share it with you all.
No great throng came over on the 25th but we texted each other and that was nice. I spent the day catching up on a few household things that had been nagging me for awhile, and walking (carefully) outside.
I like this primitive-porcelain contrast of the distant fog shrouding the forest, with the shining teacup. That is what my stealth-sipping is all about--contrasts.
I hope you'll find plenty to do whilst listening the broadcast. I appreciate those of you who are praying for me to come here more often. That is what I am hoping to do, especially for anyone who feels isolated.
In this broadcast I told about an interesting person who told us the story of his recovery from a debilitating illness that left him unable to walk or talk, and how he lost his memory and got it back, by walking.
I mentioned this lady who has short videos for at-home exercise, that take only a few minutes of your time. It might mean the difference between health and illness. The man we met on the side of the road told us there are two kinds of people in a stressful situation: those who sit it out and wait, and those who use it as fuel to make something better of themselves.
In the broadcast I also shared that gifts were small hand written “magazines” with word searches and pages to write ideas and plans.
You can make something like this just by folding paper in half and filling all four sides with your own games, puzzles, questions, assignments, recipes, and an art section.
The day is half gone and the light is fading but I am going to go about The Manse as if it is early and I'm only starting and see what I can do. If I get more essentials done, I can relax a little more and get to work on bigger things that have been pressing on me.
Please be happy while you listen today:
For today's mental challenge, please get out your paper and pencil and see how many words you can get from this word:
Tranquility.
You can leave your list in the comments. There are almost 20 one-syllable and two syllable words.
Some people have a system of finding the words, by wearing out the first letter and combinations, and then the next letter. Most of it won't be real words but you'll eventually find a word.its a Scrabble game technique.
Here is another word-puzzle for you:
Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil _______ is _____________to the _________.
Ist Peter 3:4 ...the inner person of the __________, the lasting __________of a ________and
I have been scurrying around making things merry and bright in The Manse.
This is the blue light that comes half an hour before sunrise, that is supposed to be incredibly beneficial for health.
Here I am as it gets lighter.
This is my little winter house and it has the most interesting window on the lower right.
I will try to remember to get pictures of decorations in the daylight.
If I get any time off tomorrow I’ll make a broadcast and read more from the new Jane Austen cook book.
I hope you all have a very lovely day. It is also our granddaughter’s birthday on the 25th so it is a very full day!!!
See you soon!
Lydia Ruth
This cat comes to see us and knows all our routines. I do not know who he belongs to. Mr. S. And I agreed not to feed it or buy cat treats. Mr. S. is a “ softie” who sneaks treats home.
This is his “I don’t buy treats for the cat” shelf:
I am happy to have a broadcast for you to listen while you work (or sleep).
Someone knit this cute snowman and tea cozy for me several years ago.
I read parts from these books, that I thought would be useful for the homemaker.
Today I mentioned the routines of homemakers of the past and suggested it was their pleasant and relaxing routines that helped them keep a steady mind for any distress.
I hope you are doing well in your present circumstances. As Jane Austen said when not everyone was behaving: “We are enduring it as best we can.” If only The Manse would behave itself and stay in order, I could broadcast more often. However I hope to see you wonderful ladies soon! I’m getting a few things cleaned up.
It seems so long since we were last together. I'm delighted you came to visit today.
In this broadcast I talked about a few things that gave me a feeling of well-being back "in the olden days" before today's constant distress:
*Having things in order at home
*Clean laundry, kitchen and bathroom
*Correspondence caught up
*Fresh food supplies for a few days meals
I have been making "magazines" for the younger ones. I didn't get a copy of the one for boys, but it was about being creative, with word puzzles, art instruction, assignments, and exercise. I told you how to use a window for a lightbox to trace a picture. I'm sure some of you "vital" people remember doing that "in the olden days."
The name of the magazines I made and mailed:
The one you see here is called Serenity and it is for a granddaughter.
Every child's magazine has a different name.
The boy's magazines were "Kindness" and "Happiness" with games and puzzles, art, crafts and character building subjects.
The name of the one for my daughter is "Tranquility" and featured the qualifications to enter the "Mrs. Tranquility contest for tranquil living. Of course, the fictional character we have invented in our text stories to each other, will win the contest. I told you in a previous video how we text a continuing narrative to each other during the winters.
Consider making some of these cute magazines yourself. This is how my children began their newsletters and publications for friends and relatives.
Nothing makes me more content and happy to be confined to the house than severely cold rain and fierce winds outside. Scenery from the window is better and better.
I spoke to you from the sewing room that also serves as an extra guest room.
I have decided many times not to get more books, but I have the "Esau Syndrome". A nice book will make me give up my valuable time and the limited storage space here at The Manse. This is a very nice book and I read to you the chapter on Regency picnics. I hope to read more of it next time we meet. There are reviews of this book, "Jane Austen's Table" by some lovely people on YouTube if you care to search for them there.
Please enjoy the broadcast while you sort through a box of old papers, clean out a kitchen shelf, or sleep.
I mentioned the comedy about how anxiety is produced. This was made back in the day when we were allowed to laugh at ourselves and be humorous about our own problems. I don’t suppose it would be acceptable today because we wouldn’t need all the all the remedies.
Here is the link to the Bob and Ray comedy episode on “anxiety”
It is supposed to be winter here but we have very mild weather with gentle rain and warmish wind and plenty of flowers.
In Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell, an old saying used by Mr. Gibson when telling his daughter to shop for whatever she needed and spare no expense, was “I do it to keep you quiet.” If you are of a “ vital” age, you might remember when people used that saying! It made us laugh.
Since I do not have a video ready to publish for you, here is a post to keep you quiet.
I wanted to show the wrought iron pieces I’ve placed around the block house to give it a more cottage look. They are from Hobby Lobby, originally black, spray painted mint green or what is sometimes called sage green or sea foam green.
I am still stealth-sipping and it is now fog season.
I always thought when I got older (vital) I could finally do whatever I liked. However there are now descendants that want me to be cautious. So I’m not permitted to stealth camp— but it’s okay if I watch stealth camping videos— and I’m learning how to substitute more safe adventures within a few feet of The Manse. Taking tea in unusual places is my substitute. That way, I won’t get lost 😊
I hope you are doing well in your present circumstances and have great plans for improvement.
Hopefully I’ll have something here for you to listen to (or fall asleep by) soon.
I hope you are giving life your best today. I have a new "broadcast" video. You can listen while you catch up on a few things at home.
I shared another tea book from Dollar Tree purchased a decade or more ago:
It is from The Clever Factory publishing company in Nashville, Tennessee.
I enjoyed this exercise video from Lucy Windham-Read, in a winter wonderland. It will be nice to see if she does a similar video in the spring. Please be aware when following exercises, you can do every-other one, or just do half the video, and you can alter the movements to suit your needs.
I have added more ideas on MY PINTEREST if you would like to look at something that is peaceful.
I hope you will enjoy home, get some things done, or rest, while you listen. I plan to post another picture at the end of the page so please check back.
Greetings dear friends at home (and those who aspire to be)!
I appreciate your visit and I hope you enjoy the video.
"We are having very nice weather."
I have been wearing this historical "walking skirt"
which my daughter sewed for me many years ago.
It is longer in the back, with a nice pleat.
It is made from Folkwear pattern #209
In the broadcast I suggested some things to make winter more enjoyable at home, which my younger friends have shared with me.
I read from these two books:
Simple Social Graces by Linda Lichter (18th-19th century customs and manners of the home)
Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home by Emilie Barnes (home keeping, home decor, and other things)
These were published many years ago, but doing a search for books about home and homemaking will bring up quite a number of very good recent publications on these subjects.
I read the poem from the song: O For a Faith That Will Not Shrink, which was written in 1831. The words indicate what people knew about faith and how they experienced it in Victorian times:
Oh, for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!
That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chast’ning rod,
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.
A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.
Lord, give me such a faith as this,
And then, whate’er may come,
I’ll taste, e’en here, the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.
Reading this aloud can bring out its meaning so well and is a great poem for older children to memorize, analyze and sing.
Please enjoy your responsibilities at home while you listen:
It is looking and feeling very grim out there but "we are enduring it as best we can."
Today's broadcast is at the end of the page.
As you listen today please remember that these are my own ideas based on my observations and thoughts and do not necessarily apply to any other person's situation. Even if you have different thoughts and ideas, as I always opine, "We can still be friends." It wouldn't be a very interesting life if everyone was the same. ("But Lizzy, not everyone is the same.")
I shared this book which was one of the small books from the dollar store many years ago. It is from
The Clever Factory publishers in Nashville, Tennessee if you want to search for the rest of them. This edition promotes deliberately shutting out the rushing and pressures of life by creating moments of stillness and slowness.
In today's broadcast (scroll to the end of this page to see the video), I explained briefly the difference between the Regency Period, (1795-1837) described in The Jane Austen Diet,
...and The Victorian Era (1837-1901)
described in Simple Social Graces.
You can do a search for the Regency Era hats and clothing and the Victorian hats and clothing to see the differences.
Poems I read:
Patiently, thought by thought,
Old habits are untaught,
We watch, but cannot see
The seed invisibly
Become the oak or pine
Or warm, fall fruiting vine.
We see the stature gained,
But do not see things grow--
The process is too slow.
Things have a time to root,
A time to flower
And a time to fruit
And a time to stand and rest:
And every time is best.
Waiting is also growth;
Living consists of both.
Patiently, thought by thought
A new way of life is wrought.
Please enjoy listening while you get things done at home, or walk or rest. Some people say they fall asleep listening. If that works for you, it is just fine with me.
Hello lovely ladies at home (and those who want to be).
I hope you are doing the best you can at home.
Please make a list, pray, take care of your appearance, exercise (find a video to follow for your age and ability), even if it is a one minute stretch, walk outside even if it is two steps, sing a song, read a sentence in a good book, listen to music, wash something by hand, paint a picture, write a letter, or sit still.
